LAS VEGAS – The “BMF” belt has re-entered the conversation among the UFC brass.
Tuesday, news broke the UFC is targeting a rematch between [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] and [autotag]Nate Diaz [/autotag] for December or January. Tuesday night, UFC president Dana White confirmed the company’s plans in a post-fight news conference following the conclusion of Dana White’s Contender Series 31 at the UFC Apex.
According to White, the “BMF” belt’s owner, Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 14-8 UFC), is interested in putting the title up for grabs should the rematch against Diaz (20-12 MMA, 18-11 UFC) come to fruition.
“(Masvidal) wants to defend it against Diaz,” White said. “They were the first two to fight for it. You know what I mean? They were the guys that fought for it. He wants to put it up versus Nate again.”
When asked a follow-up question about the fight headlining an event with the “BMF” title on the line, White affirmed. He had previously shot down suggestions of bringing the belt back, saying it was a one-time affair, but is now open to giving it a second go.
[lawrence-related id=549359,549333,542374]
The initial bout between Masvidal and Diaz took place in November at Madison Square Garden in New York. In the UFC 244 main event, Masvidal defeated Diaz via doctor stoppage TKO due to a cut after the third round finished. The stoppage was controversial to many experts and fans, who claimed the lacerations on Diaz’s face lacked the severity to warrant a stoppage.
Masvidal has competed once since November (the unanimous decision loss to Usman). Diaz, who has fought just twice since 2016, has not returned to action.
Check out Dana White’s full DWCS 31 post-fight news conference in the video above.
[vertical-gallery id=459392]
[vertical-gallery id=443548]